When Arizona State University made the transition to NCAA Division I, it was only a matter of time before the hometown Arizona Coyotes took advantage at the NHL Draft. As it turns out, "a matter of time" meant less than a year.
#19 on our countdown of players under 21 will forever be remembered as the first ASU hockey commit to be selected in the NHL Draft. That player is defenseman Patrick Kudla.
#19 - Patrick Kudla - Left Defenseman - Arizona State University - 158th overall pick, 2016 NHL Draft
Highest Rank: 15
Lowest Rank: 20
A native of Guelph, Ontario, Kudla came from the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, where he produced 13 goals and 53 assists in 50 games.